Explanation of seating arrangements:

• • • FLOATING: Seating is organized within the orchestra by section only.

    • PHASE 1: Seating is arranged with advancing or advanced players interspersed throughout each section. The purpose and goal of phase 1 should happen during the acquisition phase of learning new music; advanced students help model and provide assistance to less confident students. Usually the advanced player is assigned to an outside stand though this depends on the size of the section (large sections may have a stronger player every 5th or 7th chair for instance).

    • PHASE 2: Seating is arranged with advanced students sitting in the back of the section. The purpose and goal of phase 2 is to help support independence for advancing students.

    • ROTATING: Seating is rotated with each stand moving back one. The last stand in the section will move to the front stand. The goal and purpose of rotating seating is to allow students the opportunity to sit in a variety of locations within their section to experience how the various factors of ensemble playing affect players.

    • CONCERT: Seating is arranged by rank order within each section with the most advanced student sitting as principal of their section

Students should NEVER make assumptions about what the director thinks and feels about them based on seating alone. It is best practice to immediately communicate with the director to advocate for your feelings . Keep in mind that the primary goal of high school orchestra is learning, and as such, there are a variety of factors that go into a director's choice in seating; performance comes second.